Chapter 3: Tension

Rukia stepped back in disbelief. She could not believe what she had seen. It definitely reminded her of that terrible memory of that man sucking her mother's blood. However, what was different was that the woman in this situation walked away like nothing happened. She had heard of vampires sucking each other's blood before, and now that she had seen that in front of her eyes, she knew the truth.

How could this school be so irresponsible to allow vampires onto its grounds? What was the Headmaster thinking? So many questions had gone through her mind. Rukia did not know what else to do. She was too scared to move. Could Yuuki be somewhat involved in this? Does she know their secret? So that's what the Disciplinary Committee was all about? Rukia did not know if she could trust anyone anymore.

"Hey!" A voice snapped her out of her anguish. Oh no! I've been caught! Go away, damn it!

The person approached her from behind, and she decided to use self-defense to protect herself. She swung a punch and hit something in front of her.

"Ouch!" The person shrieked as he stepped back. "Watch where you're hitting, damn it! You hit harder than Yuuki can!"

Rukia panted for a while, but then she remembered that voice. It was Zero Kiryuu.

"What the hell are you doing out here anyway?" Zero asked, still holding his throbbing nose.

"I was out for a walk and then…"

"You decided to sneak on academy grounds while class was in session," Zero cut her off. "I heard that one before, girl. You're just one of those annoying fan-girls."

Rukia blushed in surprise for a moment, and then she stamped her foot argumentatively. "I am NOT one of those fan-girls! I was seriously out for a walk and then…"

"What?" Zero cut her off again. "Are you that curious about the Night Class? They're monsters, you know! Beasts in human form! You're that stupid, aren't you? Now your fucking nosiness is going to be troublesome for us all!"

Rukia blinked at the boy's words. Is he trying to guilt-trip her? He was really making her furious.

"And what's even worse!" Zero went on, "Yuuki is bringing that fucking bastard, Kaname Kuran out to fix things! Talk about making things worse for you and for me! God damn it! I hate that bastard so much!"

Yuuki knows she was there too? Rukia did feel a bit guilty for bringing Yuuki into this, but she was not looking forward to seeing this Kaname Kuran since he was a member of the Night class as well. She did not know what to do or what would happen next. Is Kaname going to change her or kill her? She wanted to run away, but she did not want to show her emotions. She was raised to hide her emotions and never run away from anything.

"Well there they are," Zero spoke again.

"Thanks, Zero," Yuuki said. Then she turned to Rukia. "Rukia!" She grabbed her new friend's hands. "You shouldn't have come out here! It's really dangerous! I warned you remember? Did you see something that frightened you?"

"Zero," Kaname said. "You're free to go, you know. I'll handle this."

"Whatever," Zero said as he walked off.

Rukia said nothing. She was really intimidated by this person that Yuuki had brought along with her. So this was Kaname Kuran.

Yuuki smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Rukia. Kaname is very gentle and he won't harm anyone. He was the one that saved my life 10 years ago after all."

"She speaks the truth," Kaname said. "I smelled blood earlier, but I recognized that scent as one of the aristocratic students here." He sighed. "I also sensed that someone was frightened too. I am really sorry for what happened, and I assure you, I'll speak to those who were responsible."

Rukia blushed with embarrassment. So it seemed that her fears were out in the open. Shit!

"I take it that you're not one to show your emotions to others," Kaname noted.

"And what would you know, vampire?!" Rukia shot back. "You're all monsters! Every single one of you!"

Yuuki bit her lip. She could definitely see the reason why Rukia had so much distrust for vampires, and she could understand her anger and grief. However, she had not heard anyone speak that way to Kaname, not even Zero…although he did think it.

Kaname was not bothered by Rukia's words. He smiled in sympathy. "You must have encountered a lot of pain thanks to my race. I'm truly sorry and my condolences. However, you must understand that not all of us are like that." He stepped forward slowly, trying not to alarm Rukia.

However, Rukia stepped back. "Stay away from me! Don't attack me again! Stay away!"

"I'm not going to hurt you," Kaname said. "I'm only going to do something that would ease your mind of what you saw tonight. It's only a small memory erasure, nothing else. I promise."

"He really is a good vampire, Rukia," Yuuki said. "He's nothing like that bad vampire that killed your parents and your friend."

"Are you sure?" Rukia asked while facing Yuuki, who nodded. Then she looked at Kaname, who was staring back at her with kind and patient eyes. There was nothing about him to be afraid of, but she was still very hesitant. And if what he said was true and would make her have a decent sleep tonight, she decided to take it.

Kaname slowly stepped toward her again and placed the palm of his hand next to her forehead. Crimson light shone from his hand. "You know what to do when this is over, Yuuki," he said.

"Yes, I know," Yuuki replied. Rukia collapsed and Yuuki caught her. Then she turned back to Kaname and bowed slightly. "Thank you for your help, Kaname," she said. "I'm sorry to drag you out of class like that."

Kaname grinned with that perfect smile Yuuki had always loved. "It was no problem at all, Yuuki. I look forward to seeing you again. Good night." He turned to walk back toward the Academy.

"Good night, Kaname," Yuuki replied. Then she carried Rukia back through the gate toward the Sun Dormitory.

Meanwhile, Ichigo and Ruka returned to the classroom and sat in their usual seats. Kain glared at Ichigo from across the classroom.

"Akatsuki, what's wrong?" Ruka asked.

"Nothing," Kain bluntly answered.

"If you still have a grudge against him for disrespecting Kaname-sama…" Ruka started.

"I told you that it's nothing," Kain cut her off. "Excuse me." He got up from his seat and walked toward Ichigo. "Hey, I'd like to have a word with you."

"Don't make me use my mind-control on you again," Ichigo warned. "Remember whom you're talking to, Aristocrat."

"It's only a quick word, and nothing else," Kain said.

Ichigo rolled his eyes. "Fine." He got up and followed Kain outside of the classroom. "What the hell do you want now?"

"I advise you to stay away from Ruka," Kain said. "It was fine when she was loyal to Kaname-sama because I am too, but she's someone special to me and I don't want someone like you to get in my way."

Ichigo laughed. "Jealous much? You like her, don't you? You think that I was serious when I was making out with her and then sucking her blood? I did it because I hadn't actually satisfied my thirst for a while. I honestly don't love her. And now, here you are…a lowly aristocrat telling me what to do." He shook his head. "Vampires like you are such a waste of my time."

Kain growled at the pure-blood's words. "You bastard!" He grabbed the front of Ichigo's white uniform. "You may be a pure-blood vampire like Kaname-sama, but I could never show any respect to you!"

"Kaname-sama this, Kanama-sama that," Ichigo said with an annoyed scowl. "You think I honestly care what you think? You think I care about our dorm president? I live by my own rules. I do what I want, and I take no shit from anyone, not even you." He smirked once again. "So if you want to fight me, go right ahead. I'm waiting. Not that you can even lay a hand on me."

Kain clenched his other hand into a fist and gritted his teeth. He pulled back his arm and started to throw the punch, but he stopped as soon as the fist reached about a centimeter from Ichigo's face. Then he relaxed his hand and let go of Ichigo's uniform blazer.

Ichigo chuckled. "I told you. What was it again? Akatsuki Kain? You're below my level, so I suggest you should stop wasting my time." He dusted off his blazer and then walked back inside the classroom.

"That no-good, egocentric bastard!" Kain cursed under his breath. He calmed down and then walked into the classroom.

When Kaname walked back into the classroom, class was already in session, but the teacher, understanding his intentions, did not mind that he was late. "Welcome back, Kaname-sama," Takuma whispered. Kaname nodded in response.

Ichigo rolled his eyes as his rival's actions. God…so high and mighty that he can get away with anything, he thought to himself, just because he's the dorm president. Whatever.

After class was finished, Kaname walked past Ruka and without looking at her, said, "I need to speak to you and Ichigo."

Ruka widened her eyes slightly. "O-okay, Kaname-sama," she stammered.

"Ichigo," Kaname said.

"What is it now, Kuran?" Ichigo asked irritated.

"I need to speak to you and Ruka about what transpired earlier," Kaname said.

"Look, I don't give a damn what you think," Ichigo said.

"Ichigo," Ruka said, "When President Kuran says he needs to speak to us, he's serious."

"Fine, what now?" Ichigo asked.

Kaname waited until the rest of the students and the teacher left the classroom. "While I don't have a problem with you satisfying your thirst, Ichigo, I do have a problem with the fact that you two had done what you did with a human watching."

"A human?" Ruka repeated.

"I thought that humans weren't supposed to be on this side of the gate," Ichigo said. "Not like it really matters."

Kaname shot Ichigo a glare. "A pure-blood like you should have been more discreet, but instead you were careless. You were supposed to set an example."

"Look, you're not my father, okay?" Ichigo argued. "So what gives you the right to tell me what to do anyway?"

The atmosphere around them grew tense as the glass windows started to crack. Ruka trembled slightly, wishing that Ichigo shouldn't have angered Kaname. However, Ichigo was not fazed by the other pure-blood's silent anger.

"You're right about one thing, Ichigo," Kaname said. "I can't tell you what to do, but you must remember who you are and what example you set for others. Both of you may be dismissed."

"Th-thank you, Kaname-sama," Ruka stammered, fear lacing her voice as she knelt briefly. Then she quickly walked out of the classroom. Ichigo casually walked behind her without a word.

Kaname narrowed his eyes as he watched them leave the classroom. Sometimes he felt his patience was waning every time he had to deal with Ichigo, but he started to sense something that Ichigo never shown…something that Ichigo had done a very good job hiding. It was a strong sadness.

The next day was a Saturday, and Yuuki stretched as she stepped out of bed. Then she looked out the window and smiled as the sun spilled into her dorm, filling it with its golden light.

"Good morning, Yuuki," Yori greeted. "It's a beautiful day, isn't it?"

"It is," Yuuki agreed. "You know what? I've got an idea. Since it's so nice out, perhaps we should go to town and maybe go to that sweetshop."

Yori nodded. "That's a great idea! Maybe you can ask that new girl to come along. After all, you and she had decided to get to know one another. I think it's great that I got to know her too."

Yuuki grinned. "Okay! I'll ask Rukia when we go down for breakfast."

"Okay!" Yori exclaimed.

They quickly got dressed and left their room for the dining hall downstairs. Yuuki wore a pink, layered short-sleeved top with a pair of jeans, and Yori wore a yellow short-sleeved top with jeans.

When they entered the dining hall, there were many Day Class students engaging in conversation. Zero and Rukia ate at a table across from each other, but they were not speaking. Yuuki wondered if Rukia got a decent amount of sleep last night, but with Kaname's memory-erase technique, she had a feeling that she did. She hoped that she will not have to go through that again.

"Let's get some food and join Zero and Rukia," Yori suggested.

"Okay," Yuuki replied.

They walked to the cafeteria, received their food and walked back to the table where Zero and Rukia were. "Good morning, Zero and Rukia," Yuuki greeted. "Mind if we sit down?"

"You always eat this table, Yuuki," Zero scoffed. "No need to ask me, you stupid girl."

Yuuki twitched at Zero's statement, but she was used to his attitude. After all, they were both raised together as the Headmaster's adopted children for four years. Ignoring his remark, she and Yori sat down. Then she turned to Rukia with a smile. "So how did you sleep this morning, Rukia?" She asked.

Rukia shrugged. "Okay, I guess," she replied. "I usually don't have a good night's sleep, but last night I actually slept pretty well. What a miracle."

"That's good that you slept well," Yori said. "Hey, I've got a question. Since it's Saturday, Yuuki and I were thinking about going into town for a girl's day out. You're welcome to come along too, Rukia."

Rukia smiled slightly. "Sure, I'd love to come along," she accepted. "It sounds fun."

"Do what you girls want," Zero said. "It will save me the trouble of being annoyed by Yuuki and will finally give me the alone time I need."

"Oh you're so mean," Yuuki shot back. "You'll probably kill the fun that we have planned anyway."

Zero rolled his eyes. "Exactly."

"I can see that you two are like brother and sister," Rukia remarked.

"I think it's adorable," Yori added. Zero rolled his eyes again. "Who knows? Maybe you two will be a perfect couple," she quipped.

Zero and Yuuki both blushed at Yori's remark. "That won't happen!" They shouted in unison.

"Besides, she's head-over-heels with Kaname," Zero said. "And I've been raised alongside her by our headmaster. It would just be too weird if we become anything more than we are right now."

"I agree," Yuuki nodded. "I don't have any plans of being with Zero at all."

"Say what you want," Yori teased. "I think you're just a little jealous of Kaname, Zero."

"Oh shut up," Zero said.

Rukia fought off a chuckle. She had a feeling that she would definitely have a good friendship with these three.

They finished their breakfast, and the girls went back to their dorms to get ready. Once they finished, they left the Academy and walked down the long flight of steps. Then they turned the corner and walked down the street to town. Once there, they explored the marketplace and browsed clothing centres. Then they went to the sweetshop where they each enjoyed a sundae. Rukia had never felt so happy ever since she had spent her time with her friend, Kaien Shiba, a handsome man that met the same fate as her parents. All her troubles seemed to have vanished as she spent the day with these two girls.

It was getting late in the afternoon, and Yuuki decided to go home before it got dark. They walked back down the street, headed for the Academy, and continued to enjoy their happy conversation.

They were close to downtown's exit when a strange man blocked their way. Yuuki grabbed an object from a holster on her leg and extended it into a silver pole, which was called Artemis. "State your business," she demanded.

"My companion and I have been looking for a snack…since well, dusk is about to begin," the shady stranger said with a dark chuckle. The girls looked behind them, and another man stepped toward them, an insane smile spread across his face. "We could settle for 3 delicious girls," the man continued as he also stepped forward.

Yori and Rukia huddled together while Yuuki tightened her hold on Artemis. Rukia's memories of being attacked by that vampire had returned to her, and she trembled with intense fear. Yori was used to things like this, but that did not stop her from being scared of what was to happen. Yuuki recognized these men as Level E vampires, vampires that had lost their sanity and were the real beasts in human form.

The man that spoke lunged at the girls, earning a scream from Yori and Rukia, and Yuuki swung Artemis at him. He grabbed the pole, which shocked him with its purity, and disarmed it from Yuuki's hands.

"Did you really think you would stop us with that?" He asked with a maniacal laugh.

His companion joined in with the laughter. "You are so weak! But it doesn't matter to us. All humans are same for their blood is so satisfying, especially the blood of young girls. It's dinner time!"

Before they could lunge again, one was slashed in half, while a blood-like whip lashed through the other one. Yuuki, Yori, and Rukia shut their eyes tightly to avoid the carnage that happened before them, and when they opened them, they saw two boys dressed in Night Class uniforms: Takuma Ichijou and Senri Shiki.

Takuma sheathed his katana and turned to face the girls behind him. "Are you three alright?" He asked with concern.

"Thank you, Takuma," Yuuki said gratefully. She turned toward Senri who made his whip disappear back inside him. "And thank you to you too, Senri."

"No problem," Senri said coolly.

"It was nothing at all!" Takuma said with a grin. "We were glad that we could help."

"Anyone mind telling me why I'm here if I was useless in this?" Rima asked.

Senri wrapped an arm around Rima's waist. "You didn't want to be left behind, remember?"

"Maybe not," Rima said.

"You three should head back quickly before any more of them show up," Takuma suggested with a frown. "We wouldn't want any more dangers happening to you."

Yuuki nodded, understanding what the Night Class vice-president was saying. "We will, Takuma, and thanks again."

"Yes, thank you," Yori said. Rukia just stared at the three vampires with suspicion while she followed her friends back toward the Academy.

Two men watched them from on top of a roof. Both had long hair, and one was thin and tall with a white shirt and grey pants. The other was slightly shorter but more muscular, and had a black jacket over a white shirt. A cross pendant hung in the centre of his chest.

"Well it looks like we found her," the taller man said, "Rukia Kuchiki."

"Yes it does, Tsukishima," the other man said. "Let's report this to our boss."

"Right behind you, Ginjou," Tsukishima replied. Both men jumped off the roof and disappeared from sight.

So things have started to pick up. You'll find out who their boss is...well both of them anyway, in the next chapter. You'll also find out more memories as well. See you next time, guys, and let me know what you guys think!